a platform at the park. They found that elephants were more likely to approach others and make contact with them when they were showing signs of distress in comparison to those exhibiting normal behaviors. This supports the fact that elephants are concerned with the emotional state of their conspecies. Post distress data was also taken, where the researchers observed individuals for ten minutes after displaying signs of distress. The results from the post distress data show that individuals attempted to reassure the distressed elephant by using a specific vocalization. They also concluded that the reassuring a distressed individual was contagious (multiple individuals approached the distressed subject). Soltis, Blowers, &Savage (2011) analyzed the vocalizations of elephants and determined the emotional significance behind them. Audio recording collars that
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First, I think that it would be beneficial to directly observe elephants in their natural environment. Many studies I have read utilize GPS tracking systems to analyze their behavior. While technology may aid in observing their behavior, I feel that it would be beneficial to use direct observations to see how they act without any interruptions of technology. I question whether or not the GPS tracker itself had an impact on how the animals behave. I also think that it is important to avoid studying elephants that have had previous training to eliminate any biases. Many elephants in captive settings have been trained for other research, which can affect how they perform. Next, I believe that further research needs to be conducted on elephant emotion. It is extremely difficult to know what an animal is thinking and feeling, and to say that elephants feel a certain way may not be true. For example, although researchers say elephants can cry, this might not be what they are
First, I think that it would be beneficial to directly observe elephants in their natural environment. Many studies I have read utilize GPS tracking systems to analyze their behavior. While technology may aid in observing their behavior, I feel that it would be beneficial to use direct observations to see how they act without any interruptions of technology. I question whether or not the GPS tracker itself had an impact on how the animals behave. I also think that it is important to avoid studying elephants that have had previous training to eliminate any biases. Many elephants in captive settings have been trained for other research, which can affect how they perform. Next, I believe that further research needs to be conducted on elephant emotion. It is extremely difficult to know what an animal is thinking and feeling, and to say that elephants feel a certain way may not be true. For example, although researchers say elephants can cry, this might not be what they are